Antifriction roller for skates and the like



@ K2,, W410 F. MAZVESKAS ETAL. 223132 ANTIFRICTION ROLLER FOR SKATES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 20, 1940 INVP-s a P3; FPANK 6. MA zvmskAs VICTOR A. MAZVE$KAS Patented Aeg. '12, 1941" ANTIFMCTKON ROLLER FDR SKATES AND THE M Frank G. Mazveskas and Victor A. Ma zveskas,

' Cleveland, @hio Application August 20, 1940, Serial No. 353,364 (oi. sci-108) l @laim.

This invention relates as indicated to an antifriction roller for skates and the like.

Anti-friction rollers for skates and the like are usually characterized by a rather complicated construction, in which breakage of the tread or other part of the roller requires replacement of the entire roller.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a roller of the character described, in which the tread or other parts of the roller which become damaged or worn, can be readily replaced without replacing other parts of the roller which are not worn out or broken.

Another object of the invention is to provide a roller of the character described, consisting of a minimum number of parts of rugged construction, and containing anti-friction elements which are eiiectively concealed and free from attack by dirt and dust.

A further object of the invention is to provide a roller of the character described, in which means are incorporated for effectively locking certain parts to other parts, but in which unlocking can be effected with ease and certainty.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim; the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical structures in which the principle of the invention may be used.

in said annexed drawing:

. Fig. l is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through a skate roller embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in elevation, and partly in section, showing means for locking the end cap to the bearing retainer sleeve;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4i and 5 are perspective views of an end cap and bearing retainer sleeve, respectively, showing a modified form of means for securing the end cap to the sleeve; 7

Fig. 6 is an elevation of an end cap, having incorporated therein, a further modification in means for locking the end cap to the bearing retainer sleeve, and

Fig. 'l' is a perspective view of the sleeve with which the end cap of Fig. 6 is adapted to cooperate.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, there is.

disclosed a skate roller comprising a tread l, which may be formed of wood, fibre, composition, or other suitable material, preferably of a non-metallic character and having a central aperture 2 within which is disposed a metallic sleeve 3, having a press-fit in the tread. The sleeve t has an outwardly extending flange l atone end which engages the inner face 5 of the tread and has a plurality of embossments t which extend into the tread l to thereby prevent relative rotative movement between the sleeve and tread.

The opposite'end of the sleeve 3 is interiorly threaded as at i for the reception of a metallic end cap 8 having an outwardly extending flange 9 which engages the outer face it of the tread l. Extending through the flange ii is a pair of diametrically opposed openings l l. for engagement by a, wrench to facilitate removal of the cap, when access to the interior of the roller is desired.

The sleeve ii is provided intermediate its ends with a relatively wide radially inwardly extendng flangeit, which, as shown, is preferably formed integrally with the sleeve.

Disposed at the opposite sides of the flange it are ball-bearings it, the outer races it of which have a press-fit in the sleeve, and the inner races it of which are spaced apart by means of a spacer or bushing it.

The axle ll projects from the axle housing it of the skate and. through the inner races it of the bearings and the spacer iii, being threaded at its end for the reception of a nut 59.

It is thus seen that the bearings are effectively maintained in spaced relation by means of the spacer it and the flange it of the sleeve 3, and are also maintained against axial movement by such flange, as well as by the engagement ofthe axle housing with the inn-er bearing and the engagement of the nut it with'the outer bearing. The end cap 8 is effective to preclude the entrance of dirt and dust into the bearings and to conceal the inner elements of the wheel from view, as well as to impart to the wheel a highly desired finish appearance. At the same time, the end cap can be readily removed for inspection and. cleaning of the inner elements of the wheel, or for repair or replacement of parts.

For ordinary usage to which a skate is subjected, the threaded engagement of the end cap with the sleeve is sufficient to preclude any possibility of its becoming loosened and falling ofi? the sleeve.

In some cases, however, it is desirable to incorporate in the roller means for locking the end cap to the sleeve, and such means is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Such means comprises a more or less semi-circular strip 20 of spring steel conforming in shape to and disposed within the end 5 cap 8 and having one end 2| thereof permanently secured to the end cap. The other end of .the spring 20 has riveted thereto a locking pin 22, which, when the end cap has been screwed in place, enters an aperture 23 in the sleeve 3, and is thereby effective to lock the end cap to the sleeve. When it is desired to remove the end cap. a pointed instrument is inserted through an opening 24 in the end cap and under the spring 20 in order to withdraw the pin 22 from the opening 23, after which the end cap may be unscrewed from the sleeve.

In Figs. 4 and 5, means for locking the end cap 25 to the sleeve 28 is shown, consisting of lug 21 pressed outwardly from the metal of the 29 on the tongues 30 which result from the formation of the bayonet slots, spring these tongues sufilciently to permit the lugs to pass such camlike portions 29, and therebyefiectively locking, or at least, latching, the endcap to the sleeve.

In this form of the invention, the end cap can,

of course, removed from the sleeve without the aid of any instruments.

In that form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 6 and '7, the end cap 3| is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed pins 32 which are adapt- 35 ed to enter bayonet slots 33 in the sleeve 34. Pivotally secured to the end cap, as at 35, is a dog 36 having a locking pin 31 riveted thereto intermediate its ends. The dog 36 is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 6 by means of a compression spring 33 mounted on a pin 39 which is riveted to the end cap. The spring 38 is interposed between a washer ll adjacent the head 4| of the pin 39 and the free end of the dog 36, and when the dog is in this position, the pin 31 will enter an aperture 42 in the sleeve 34 after the end cap has been turned on the sleeve, thereby efiectively locking the end cap to the sleeve. It will be noted that the free end of the dog 36 is spaced somewhat from the wall of the end cap, so that a key 43 may be inserted through an opening in the end cap and into the space between the dog and end cap, and

turned to engage the dog and withdraw the pin 31 from the aperture 42, permitting the end cap to be removed from the sleeve.

The forms of the invention shown in Figs. 4 to '7 inclusive are advantageous in that they do not require threading of the sleeve or end cap.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one plained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

In a bearing, a tubular metallic sleeve having bearings therein, a metallic end cap for said sleeve comprising a portion fitting into said sleeve and having an opening therein, means for locking said cap to the sleeve, said means including a curved arm secured interiorl'y to the portion of the cap that extends into said tube and lying against the inner wall thereof, and a pin projecting from said arm through the opening in the end cap, said sleeve having'an opening registering with the opening in the end cap and receiving the end of said pin to lock the end cap in place. 'I

FRANK G. MAZVESKAS. VICTOR A. MAZVESKAS. 

